Keshav & Cyril's Love Story Proves When Cupid Strikes No Distance Or Language Can Pose A Barrier

Love may be the most powerful feeling known to mankind, but more than anything else, love is a celebration. A celebration of the life we love and are grateful for. A celebration of loving ourselves for who we are, and how far we have come when it comes to living our dreams. And if we are lucky enough, a celebration of finding the person who seems to make life so much more better by simply being in it.

So, to love is to basically celebrate the joy and happiness we find with someone else that we didn't even know existed! They just happen to walk into our life one fine day, and bam, nothing remains the same anymore.

Love is like that added sprinkle of pepper and oregano on the pizza, it is so extra but makes the experience all the more enjoyable. Much like the added sprinkle of squabbles, random fits of laughter and dizzying rush of affection, being in love brings into our life.

Keshav and Cyril's heady relationship has been nothing less than a similar celebration. It's full of spice and sprinkled with moments of unceasing fun and laughter, which makes Keshav extremely grateful for the best ten years of his life that he got to share with his French husband Cyril Feuillebois.

And since love follows no single language or religion, learning about this union between Keshav and Cyril has been a wonderful experience.

Lalit Hotels scion Keshav Suri is more than just that, he is a son, a brother and a loving husband apart from being a champion for the LGBTQ community, since his writ in the Supreme Court against Section 377 changed the future for an entire community.

This is his story and we are more than proud to share it with you.

Chance may have led them to their first meeting, but Keshav remembers it like it was yesterday. Keshav recalls the first time he met Cyril and says, “I distinctly remember it was the summer of 2008 – June, when Cyril and I met for the first time at a party at the 24/7 Bar at The Lalit New Delhi, and both of us felt a connect.”

Though Keshav and Cyril instantly hit it off at the party, they couldn't spend more time with each other since immediately after their first meeting, Cyril went to Goa. Reminiscing about that time, Keshav says, “though it was June, I followed him. One day, Cyril hired a Vespa and asked me to join him for a ride. I was apprehensive but, our eyes met and I could easily trust him. It was there, in Goa, where we realised, this was meant to be, that we shared something special.”

Yet, of the many memories that the couple has made together, for Keshav, the day he and Cyril exchanged their vows and promised to be with each other, surrounded by their family and friends, remains his most precious and favourite memory.

In Keshav's own words, here's how the day looked like, “one of the most memorable experiences of my life was walking down the aisle during our recent Goa celebrations. My Sister Shradha played dhol, while other sisters – Divya and Deeksha and Cyril's sister-in-law, Jennifer walked us to the aisle.”

He also points out that the women in the couple's life have come as angels in disguise. “The women in our family are amazing! Both nature and professionals were in sync to make it picture perfect. Our mothers officiated the ceremony. At sunset, we exchanged vows and garlands in front of a transgender high priestess. The exchange of rings and sunset were perfectly timed. Everyone was teary-eyed during our vows, even we were very emotional”, shares Keshav.

In the years that Keshav and Cyril have been together, there have been many moments which stood out, many landmark moments they achieved as a couple. Yet, when asked about their biggest milestone, Keshav would give you this heartfelt response, “my writ in the Supreme Court of India to revoke Section 377 and the journey of it reading down has been a huge milestone for us and the country. It would not have happened without my partner and my family's support. And our marriage recently in Paris and celebrations in Goa, which I am sure is a milestone in every relation. I truly value what we share and am glad to have taken the plunge.”

That almost sounds as much as an ardent love confession, as it was a highlight the couple had the joy of sharing together. But obviously, there is a lot more than just memories that Keshav and Cyril have shared together in the time they have been together. And trust us when we say it, it has been the perfect blend of love and spice.

Keshav admits the same himself, “Life together has been a rollercoaster ride, with much fun, laughter and some lifetime experiences. We've travelled around the world together and ticked off life goals. I've always felt at home with him. We have 3 children together – our dogs – Pacco Westwood, Edith Jagger, Maggie Dench and working hard to see them through college.”

And regardless of the rollercoaster ride that life has been ever since the couple got together, Keshav cannot stop gushing about the love of his love for the kind of person he is, and what Cyril adds to his life. Talking about how proud he is of his husband, Keshav tells us, “Cyril is an extremely private and a creative person. Despite that, he stood by my decision to file a writ, which meant our lives will be in the public eye. The fact that he just lets me be, and is not at all judgmental and nothing anyone says or does shocks him. I am proud of his courage and his love for our country – India.

But, of course, we also had to be cliched and ask Keshav what love and his relationship with Cyril has taught him, on the occasion of Valentine's Day, and Keshav, being a sport said, “this relation has filled my life with laughter. Even after ten years of being together, we have the ability to make each laugh. It has taught me to be happy and spread love, warmth, positivity and happiness.”

Valentine's Day may or may not mean something to you personally, but it becomes especially hard to be immune to all the love and warmth that's in the air and in people's hearts today. We hope that whether you're single or in love, the stories in '14 Days of Love' inspire you to love and spread the love all through the year.